If you want to buy ISO containers, you will need to acquire basic information about ISO shipping container dimensions, specifications and types. Acquiring this information is very important, as ISO container manufacturers and dealers offer various types of ISO containers for sale and as rentals. In addition, this information will also help if you wish to establish yourself as a manufacturer of ISO cargo containers.

If you are in the business of new and/or used ISO containers, you will need to keep track of the updates in the ISO standards. This will help you to keep producing ISO compliant containers. You will also need to train your workforce about various types of ISO containers, such as an ISO freight container or ISO tank container, their design and applications. In addition, keeping in touch with other professionals in the industry can help you expand your business.

To educate yourself and/or your workforce about ISO containers, you can:

1. Browse through various resources that provide basic information about ISO containers
2. Enroll in certification courses at recognized institutions
3. Interact with experts in the industry
4. Learn about the ISO standards for the shipping industry

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of ISO containers and the relevant terminology

If you have very little exposure to ISO shipping containers and their applications, you can learn the basics by browsing through different resources such as websites of data publishing companies and manufacturers and dealers of ISO containers.

I recommend: You can read through the basic information about ISO containers at Tandemloc, a leading manufacturer of customized lifting and mobilizing equipment. Shipping Container Housing Guide, an online knowledge source, provides basic information regarding the types and configurations of ISO containers. In addition, you can read through the specifications of ISO containers at W&K Container, a major dealer of new and used ISO containers.

Join certification courses that include ISO containers in their curriculum

Recognized institutions and some leading education provider companies offer training courses that include detailed knowledge about ISO containers. You can enroll in these courses to gain thorough technical knowledge about ISO shipping containers and their applications.

I recommend: Transportation Compliance Associates, a leading education provider, offers a training course that covers ISO containers in its syllabus. In addition, you can join an introductory course in shipping at Coracle Online, a reputable provider of online courses in professional development, with a focus on the shipping and commodity industries.

Buy updated standards for your ISO containers business

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) updates standards continuously. In order to produce ISO compliant shipping containers, you will need to keep your knowledge of ISO standards up-to-date.

I recommend: You can buy updated standards for ISO containers at ISO. In addition, you can buy ISO standards at American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ISO containers come in a variety of standard sizes and forms that include cube containers, which are loaded in the front and appropriate for general transportation; thermal containers with insulated walls for transporting frozen goods; flat racks to transport heavy machinery; and open-top containers for material that's hard to load. Suppliers can modify the configurations of these shipping and storage containers to meet the customer's need.

In addition, most suppliers of ISO containers make it possible for a client to choose an ISO container rental for temporary use or buy ISO containers outright for permanent application. Whatever your need, it's fairly easy to find an ISO container that's affordable and suitable for your shipping and storage needs. As you begin the process of looking for ISO containers, keep the following information in mind:

1. Choose an option that fits your budget. Suppliers of ISO containers typically allow customers to buy, lease or rent units.

2. Consider used ISO containers as an alternative to newer products that cost more.

3. Find a supplier that can modify an ISO container to meet your specific needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep ISO shipping containers for permanent use or rent a unit temporarily

Pay for an ISO storage container according to usage. You can get ISO containers for sale, lease or rent from a business that provides these financial options and also offers a wide selection of products to customers.

I recommend: Mobile Mini is an international provider of over 165,000 portable storage and portable office units. Customers have the option to rent or buy according to their needs and they can choose from 100 different configuration options. Portable Container Services provides both shipping and storage containers. A member of the National Portable Storage Association, this company strives to develop a lifetime business relationship with its clients.

Get a great deal on new or used ISO containers

Suppliers of ISO containers strive to develop and maintain a solid customer base. Seek out the best offers and get the most for your money.

I recommend: TPSI offers a buy-back program to select locations in the world and can deliver new or used ISO containers to any site in North America. In an effort to provide the best customer service possible, this company employs an IICL certified inspector as well as a staff with experience in the intermodal, transportation and fabrication industries. AT&S provides used ISO shipping and storage containers to Missouri, Kansas, Southern Illinois and other parts of the Midwest, with storage container rental and sales this company's specialty.

Contact a supplier that offers the specific ISO container you need

Find a supplier that specializes in making the ISO container that meets your business specifications. Depending on its use, a unit such as an ISO freight container or ISO tank container is custom made to meet the specific needs of a customer.

I recommend: Sea Box uses computerized analyses and design software to modify and customize ISO containers that meet the exact specifications of clients, including defense contractors and the military. Mini containers such as bicons, quadcons and tricons are among the wide range of sizes and types of units available through Sea Box. Chart Industries provides ISO intermodal containers to transport cryogenic bulk liquids globally. The company specializes in industrial process equipment for cryogenic applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The 'ISO' in ISO containers refers to the International Standards Organization, the group that sets the standard specs for ISO containers. Standardization in ISO shipping containers allows for easy transfer from trains to trucks to ships.

ISO containers are containers that meet the specifications and requirements set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO containers come in an array of sizes and forms, depending on the application requirements.

Whether you want to use ISO containers for your business or you want to become an ISO containers supplier or manufacturer, you will need to be conversant with certain terms that indicate specifications or types of containers. This guide will cover various key terms related to ISO containers, such as dry ISO containers, thermal ISO containers, reefer ISO containers and racking.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Dry ISO containers

Dry ISO containers (also known as cube containers) are box type containers for general purpose transportation. The standard height for a dry container is 8 feet 6 inches.

I recommend: Shipping Container Housing Guide, an online information resource for shipping containers, provides explanation about dry ISO containers.

Thermal or insulated ISO containers

Insulated ISO containers are used to carry frozen goods. These containers are extremely useful for temperature sensitive products.

I recommend: For information about thermal containers, you can refer to NAC International Group Ltd, a freight forwarding company.

Reefer ISO containers

Reefer, or refrigerated, ISO containers transport frozen goods. These containers are extremely useful for products for which a stable temperature needs to be sustained during shipping.

I recommend: SJS USA Inc. (PDF), a producer and exporter of various food products, provides an explanation of various ISO containers, including reefer containers.

Tank ISO containers

Tank ISO containers are comprised of a cylindrical tank mounted within a rectangular steel framework. They are used to transport fluids or bulk materials.

I recommend: BULK TRANSPORTER, an e-magazine for the liquid and dry bulk logistics industry, provides information about tank ISO containers.

Vented ISO containers

Vented ISO containers have ducts along the side panels and top and bottom rails of the container. These containers replace warm and moist air with colder air and are thus useful to transport items such as food.

I recommend: To learn more about vented ISO containers, you can refer to GlobalSpec, an online information resource.

Racking

Racking refers to the twisting of the structural covering of the container. This can be due to static or dynamic forces and is associated with movements in a seaway.

I recommend: CCNI, a shipping company, provides detailed information about the common types of container damage, including racking.

CSC (Container Safety Certificate)

Every container must have a CSC issued by the manufacturer. CSCs must be renewed every 30 months after inspection by a competent inspector.

I recommend: Worldwide Logistics Network, a facilitator of international transport for small freight forwarders, provides information about CSCs.

ACEP (Approved Continuous Examination Program)

ACEP is often considered as a substitute for the CSC procedure. The ACEP number is stamped on the CSC plate.

I recommend: To learn more about ACEPs, you can refer to the glossary by Geodis Wilson, a reputable freight management company.